Chapter 1712 - 879: The Night Before the Storm

That evening, two hours after the announcement was released, Ji Jue received the call that should have come long ago.

Cliff City · Chen Xingzhou.

Having delayed contacting him until now was probably partly to give him time to reflect and partly because Chen Xingzhou was already busy to the point of being overwhelmed.

At this critical juncture, it seems every faction leader is making calls like mad, right?

Whether for advancing further, bargaining, or even self-preservation, everyone is now striving to form alliances.

Among all the divisions, those that remain indifferent like the Seven Cities are ultimately in the minority; besides, isn't Ling Shuo also relying on Ji Jue for support?

With Ji Jue around, this vote is not something Ling Shuo has to worry about. Similarly, there's no need for concern.

All Ling Shuo needs is to earnestly execute Mr. Ji's instructions; doesn't the meal bestowed by Mr. Ji taste good?

Before answering the call, Ji Jue glanced at him.

Ling Shuo immediately shook his head repeatedly and waved his hand.

Thus, Ji Jue picked up the phone and said straightforwardly, "Don't worry, the vote from the Seven Cities is definitely yours."

"I know."

The voice on the other end was slightly hoarse, unmistakably fatigued.

Ji Jue laughed, "What do you know?"

Even if there had been no prior agreement between them, Ji Jue's stance would remain unchanged.

Given Ji Jue's intention not to expand in Desert Market, giving this vote to Chen Xingzhou is undoubtedly the best way to maximize his own interests.

Moreover, if Chen Xingzhou succeeds, Ji Jue would have a powerful ally with extensive connections and high skills, New Spring would have a collaborator who can deal with various hidden troubles, and Coastal Industry requires a more open and fair Desert Market path to continuously convert interests.

This is why no one reached out to Ji Jue.

The vote from Seven Cities had long been in Chen Xingzhou's hands. Even if Chen Xingzhou were dead, Ji Jue would still hold onto it tightly, and no one else would be able to get it.

Yet, the key question is, what exactly does Chen Xingzhou know?

And has he long been aware of this day, this rule?

"At most, just a little more, but not that much more," Chen Xingzhou sighed, "At least, not as much as you think."

Understandable.

If Ji Jue were Chen Xingzhou, he wouldn't discuss this topic much either.

Although Chen Xingzhou's family fortune caught fire and roused the Hermit's cold stove, allowing him to climb higher, he is ultimately not the Hermit's true son. In the Hermit's view, Chen Xingzhou might be useful, but he remains far from indispensable.

Being able to use such limited connections to obtain some insight from the Hermit is enough to prove his prowess as a seasoned intelligence trader.

Perhaps the Hermit wouldn't mind giving him a chance.

But Desert Market is always about the survival of the fittest. If he lacks capability, the Hermit naturally won't lay eyes upon him.

Forge iron must be strong on its own.

This election is a true test of whether he is scrap iron or gold.

"How is the situation in Hai Province currently?" Ji Jue asked.

"Barely stable, there's always a chance of going off-course, but it still needs watching," Chen Xingzhou said, "The vote from Tide City is already secured.

Of the additional four smaller cities, with a total of two Desert Market divisions, there's little chance of upheaval."

Predictably, since Tide City sent Ying Qulong to Chen Xingzhou, it indicates they've already placed their bet. If Hai Province's two central cities have already agreed, then the divisions surviving in Jiang City and Ship City naturally have no right to refuse.

Thus, it appears that the four votes in Hai Province are firmly in Chen Xingzhou's hands.

"And Yunzhou?"

"I've made the first move, but I fear there'll be entanglement; Old Yu is ancient, and dreams long, reluctant to face reality even when knowing opportunities are gone."

Chen Xingzhou's speech was slightly fragmented, seemingly taking this chance to organize thoughts and status: "I'm striving for Kunwu Plateau, but the people from South City have already stretched out their hand, fearing a fierce battle.

The Federation is too vast, hiding talents, unpredictable."

He sighed, revealing a hint of fatigue: "In supporting me, they are ultimately few."

Ji Jue pondered for a moment and suddenly asked, "How many of the twenty spots can the Federation secure?"

"Five to six, no, at most just five."

Chen Xingzhou slowly stated, "This is my only chance, Ji Jue, among these five, I must be one."

"It's tough."

Ji Jue sighed spontaneously.

Tough, too tough.

Skills yield to fate.

Chen Xingzhou's starting point is indeed too low.

If Ling Shuo barely stepped onto the threshold of becoming the Dragon Head, then Chen Xingzhou, through years of patience and accumulation, has earned an entrance ticket just barely enough to participate in this stormy contest among all faction leaders.

Federation Central City has nineteen cities, over a hundred small cities, countless towns, and settlements.

In the darkness within cities and the wilderness outside, who knows how many White Deer Chosen Ones eye those spots fiercely.

Thousand Islands, such a desolate place like Hai Province, Cliff City ranks among the lowest out of the nineteen Central Cities. In terms of financial and material resources, there's simply no comparison; it's just relying on the sea to profit from the sea, having more routes on the Endless Sea.

But now, if local votes are insufficient, who wouldn't look for opportunities externally?

Everyone is bound to fight to the death.

If Chen Xingzhou's calculations are correct, out of the five spots, at least one has already been taken.

There's no doubt about Central City; it definitely has to have one, that's confirmed.

Considering status, scale, influence, and capability, they are already standing at the finish line, no need to even think about it. And the remaining East, West, South, and North Cities are almost directly landing halfway through; the advantage is too great.

Don't be unconvinced.

Central City, along with its directly governed Four-direction City, can already be considered a collection of one-third of the Federation's essence.

Not to mention Central City, a super-sized Central City outside any standard, the remaining Four Cities have always been comparable to a province per city.

In earlier years, the GDP of East City alone could surpass Hai Province, and by an unknown margin!

Even though now Hai Province has caught a breath and is continuously developing, it barely narrows the gap.

Ji Jue pondered for a moment, but ultimately couldn't resist asking, "If the four cities—East, West, South, North—team up this round and take all five spots, how could anyone else compete?"

"If they eat solo, then wait for local and central to completely split. Desert Market, although belonging to White Deer, is also part of the Federation. How could all the good things belong to the top?"

Chen Xingzhou chuckled, "Besides, West City and North City won't get involved.

North City itself is the center of energy and industry, pivotal to the Federation. The local Desert Market is already consuming heavily; going too high-profile would only be counterproductive. West City is even more bleak; last year, the local Desert Market and the governor's mansion have already torn their relationship apart. Now they are water and fire, unable to take care of themselves, not thinking about coming out to compete.

South City may have the appetite, but it's been bossy for too long. To genuinely secure a spot, it's bound to take some effort.

Only East City; Mr. Han has been waiting for this opportunity for half a lifetime. Moreover, East City and Hai Province are at each other's throats. Even if they get ashore, they wouldn't let me off easily."

The situation is difficult, but not impossible.

Things are hard to handle, but still manageable.

Currently, the most troublesome thing is not just vying for votes and that spot, but also guarding against Mr. Han, who's half onshore, stomping down hard.

Nowadays, for Mr. Han, anyone in the Federation can come ashore, except Chen Xingzhou!

Ji Jue nodded upon hearing this, and finally asked, "So, is there anything you need me to help with?"

"Same old saying..." Chen Xingzhou laughed, "No need for you to do anything special; just do what you have always been doing."

The race between East City and Hai Province is too similar. Chen Xingzhou is thinking of using the Seven Cities to open the Endless Sea channel, while Han Hui also has been laying the groundwork for who knows how many years.

At this moment, what Ji Jue needs to do is to use the scale of the Seven Cities to thoroughly stir up the murky waters of West Sea!

The more chaotic the stir, the more effort East City has to expend, making it increasingly challenging to secure votes from West Sea Wilderness Collection. Give Mr. Han some things to do, saving him from spending all his thoughts pondering over Hai Province.

Attracting artillery, consuming energy, increasing resistance, providing assistance.

The larger the spread, the more troublesome at this critical juncture. If Ji Jue and Chen Xingzhou coordinate well, who knows, even that half foot Mr. Han has ashore might slip.

Even Chen Xingzhou wouldn't dream of kicking Han Hui down with one move. Just getting ashore would require all his efforts; as long as Han Hui doesn't kick him back off, that's already a win.

As for future matters, once everyone is ashore, there will be plenty of time to slowly come around!

"Alright, I'll do my best, but don't expect me to get much good." Ji Jue nodded modestly and then solemnly reminded, "There's one more thing."

"Hm?"

Chen Xingzhou was stunned for a moment, didn't expect something he hadn't planned.

"Keep an eye on your brother."

Ji Jue coldly warned, "The child doesn't have enough brains, don't put him out there to fish anymore; it's sinful."

Suddenly, Chen Xingzhou laughed, as if experiencing a rare relaxation and joy in the past few days.

"I guarantee."

After hanging up the phone, Ji Jue turned back, looking at the map on the screen…that seemingly boundless Federation continent, and surrounding, the scattered Thousand Islands.

Amidst the azure ocean, blood and fire seemed to emerge.

He sighed silently.

It is foreseeable, after tonight, unprecedented turmoil and chaos will unfold from every corner where people still exist, and ultimately, how many can climb ashore, how many will perish?

What does this have to do with him?

Everyone running around Desert Market with their heads strapped to their waistband, who fears death, still needs others to care about their lives?

Living carelessly, dying naturally abrupt.

If they don't care about others' lives, then isn't it deserved when they die?

Ji Jue twirled the pen in his hand, indifferently withdrew his sight:

"Can start shipping."

Immediately, Ling Shuo, who had waited for a long time, excitedly stood up, rubbing his hands, eagerly:

"You can count on me!"